Page 146 of Chasing Lyric
Everyone turns as the sun sets and the overhead lanterns turn on. Tiki torches light the yard, giving it a Hawaiian feel. I love how unique our place is. Sophisticated like Chase and a little bit boho like me. Chase drags me through the crowd to the front of the deck, where Mom, Dad, Clef, and Aria are sitting, drinking away like they’re ready for a good time. My family hasn’t all been together since Chase surprised me a year ago, so it’s nice to have them back here again for tonight, even if it’s only one night. They’re all dressed like the rockers they are, while all of Chase’s business friends are in more professional attire.
It’s a real clash of lifestyles, but I like how we’re integrating society here tonight.
Dax walks up to us sans Candy, and he smiles at Chase. “You ready, big man?”
Ready? Ready for what?
Chase nods. “Let’s get this party started.”
Dax lets out a loud whistle, gaining everyone’s attention, especially Rory’s, as she practically drools over him. He winks at her, but she scrunches her face up in mock disgust and flips him the bird for no reason.
Dax takes an overly dramatic bow as everyone cheers. “Welcome, ladies and germs, to the first annual Ego Star Promotion’s everyone gets together and gets shit face—”
“Networking!” Chase yells, interrupting Dax, who chuckles.
“I stand corrected, ladies and germs. Welcome to the first annual Ego Star Promotions Networking…” he turns and winks at me, “… dinner. This thing’s been brewing for months. The whole point is to drag all the big egos into one room, stir the pot, and cook up something none of the suits can fuck with. We get the best minds in one place, and Ego Star doesn’t just level up, we turn up the heat so hot that no one’s dumb enough to challenge. With the minds in this room—”
“We’re outside, idiot,” someone calls from the back, and the crowd breaks into laughter.
Dax throws his hand up. “Yeah, no shit, Sherlock. Good to know the industry’s finest can still identify a patio.” He lifts his glass, not missing a beat. “Anyway, point is, with all the talent and bad decisions standing in this yard tonight, we might actually be able to pull off something decent. Build real connections, toss out the bullshit, and turn Ego Star Promotions into a powerhouse. One that doesn’t chew people up and spit out sad cover bands.” He grins wide. “So unless you just came for the free booze and bite-sized snacks, raise your glass and let’s fucking do this!” He throws his arms in the air like he’s just dropped the mic in a sold-out stadium.
And there’s nothing but crickets.
A few polite nods.
Maybe a scattered chuckle.
But definitely not the rowdy, rockstar-level applause Dax was clearly gunning for.
He scoffs loud enough for everyone to hear. “Tough crowd.”
I snort into my drink as Chase steps forward, easing out of my grasp and moving in to save Dax from his own crash and burn.
“What my unfiltered marketing genius is trying to say…” Chase offers smoothly, “… is thank you for being here. Connect. Collaborate. And hopefully, together, we can turn Ego Star Promotions into a label that works better for all of us.”
Dax mutters under his breath, throwing his hands up again. “Which is exactly what I fucking said… only with gusto and enthusiasm, for fuck’s sake.”
Everyone chuckles as the crowd starts to turn away, heading off for their networking, but Dax coughs, clearing his throat once more. “There’s just one more matter of business we need to attend to.”
I tighten my hold on Chase’s arm, my voice a breath caught in the moment. “There is?”
He shifts beside me, rolling his shoulders with a practiced ease that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. The buzz of conversation fades into a strange kind of hush, all eyes swinging toward us again, only this time, it’s not awkward.
It’s expectant.
Then, the first notes drift into the air.
My pulse trips. It takes less than a second to recognize the soft, haunting chords of “Walking Away” by Unspoken. The song pours out through the speakers, subtle at first, curling through the air like smoke, wrapping around me until I’m swallowed whole by memory.
My throat tightens.
It’sthatsong.
The one I sang in a dimly lit karaoke bar on a night that cracked me open. The song that held every broken truth Icouldn’t say to Chase with words. A confession wrapped in melody. A plea. A love letter.
My knees go a little weak as he turns to face me fully. The world around us fades to the background, just noise and faces I no longer register. Clef lets out a sharp whistle, and I catch a glimpse of him and Aria exchanging knowing looks and quiet laughter, but my focus is locked on the man in front of me.
Chase steps in closer. My heart hammers frantically in my chest. I don’t understand what’s happening, why everyone is watching, why this moment suddenly feels so monumental. My brain scrambles to keep up, but nothing makes sense except the way he’s looking at me. Like I’m the only thing that matters.
